The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) in the Upper East Region has renewed its calls on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo-Dampare, to reverse his decision to centralize the communication wing of the Ghana Police Service.
Addressing congregants at the recently concluded GJA awards night in the Upper East Region, under the theme ‘Safeguarding the Peace and Security of the Upper East Region: The Role of the Media,’ the regional chairman of GJA, William Jalulah, emphasized that access to information is crucial for the development of a country.
It is against this backdrop that the Right to Information Bill was passed into law.
Mr. Jalulah reiterated the need for the IGP’s decision to be reversed, allowing journalists to obtain firsthand information from the police at the regional and local levels, especially concerning crimes, threats of terrorism, and other related matters.
“One of the important state institutions that should be interacting with the media almost on a daily basis on matters of crime and educating the public on their state of security has taken an entrenched position by centralizing its communication wing, and that is the Ghana Police Service. This decision by the IGP, Dr. George Dampare, is inemical to our democratic tendencies and should be reversed.
I therefore appeal to the minister of information to, as a matter of practice, take steps to reverse the direction so that their regional commanders and public relations officers can speak to the media.”
Mr. Jalulah also used the occasion to plead with the national leadership of the Ghana Journalists Association to press harder on the IGP to reverse his directive since it affects many journalists in their line of duty.
“Having said this, I also want to appeal to the leadership of the GJA to be more forceful in getting the IGP to reverse his directive that has affected many journalists who have raised concerns about it”.
The journalist of the year went to Albert Sore of Joynews/Joyfm. Agreed Best Communications Ltd, operators of A1 Radio, swept a total of five awards, as listed below; Best Radio Station of the Year, David Azure won Best Health Reporter, Moses Apiah won Best Education Reporter, Joshua Asaah won Best water and Sanitation Reporter and Best conflict Reporter.
The 2022 Upper East Regional GJA Awards held in partnership with the main sponsor – the SHARE Project being implemented by Right to Play, FAWE, FHI 360 and WaterAid Ghana with sponsorship from Global Affairs Canada. Other sponsors are, Afrikids Ghana, Earl International Group (Ghana) Gold Mining Ltd, MTN Ghana, Silas Amoah Foundation, Endswell Pharmacy, Youth Harvest Foundation, VRA/NEDCO, Widows and Orphans Movement, Participatory Action for Rural Development Alternatives (PARDA), Bolgatanga Municipal Assembly.
Source: A1radioonline.com|101.1MHz|Samuel Adagom|Ghana
